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Police in the state of Georgia arrested a real Tesla enthusiast who clearly could not resist the magic of electric cars, after purchasing a Model X fraudulently.
According to authorities, the suspect, 24-year-old Fouad Kemal, initially purchased a Model X through the Tesla app using a fake ID and fabricated bank account details, and was even able to pick up the car at a dealership on December 12. At the same time, no one noticed anything wrong in the car dealership, and the fraudster drove away with a car worth $112.
The fact that the suspect got away with it apparently inspired him to return to the same dealership on January 6, where he attempted to purchase a second Tesla through the app, again using a fake ID and false bank information. Unfortunately for him, employees at the dealership recognized the man and called 911 immediately.
A 24-year-old man from Silver Springs, Maryland, was arrested and charged with forgery, theft by deception, identity fraud and theft by taking a motor vehicle. On his second visit to the dealership, he was accompanied by Hazma Addow, 26, who was also arrested and charged with one count of financial fraud and one count of obstructing an officer.
Authorities, speaking to Fox 5 Atlanta, said the two could face additional charges. Police also said Tesla has yet to track down the Model X that Kemal took in December.
While the suspect's daring antics have caught the attention of law enforcement, they also serve as a reminder of the difficulty automakers and dealerships face in preventing fraudulent purchases and car theft. Security measures are constantly being improved to stay ahead of clever people looking to exploit weaknesses in the system.
